Dear Editor:

As I am weighing the two candidates in this upcoming election, I am still trying to reconcile how Diane Denish could say she has been fighting for education her entire career. Wasn’t it her along with Governor Richardson that got us into this mess? She seems to conveniently ignore that she has been the lieutenant governor for the past eight years somehow.

And what we have as a result isn’t pretty. We have failed to qualify for federal Race to the Top funds twice, and are slipping further and further under the No Child Left Behind requirements. Our elementary school test scores are still among the worst in the nation in reading and math, and we don’t fare much better when it comes to the number of college degree holders.

How does Diane Denish explain this? Either she advocated for the policies that directly contributed to our education system’s decline or she was a completely ineffective lieutenant governor. I’d love to hear a third alternative from Denish, but so far we haven’t. I think we can all agree that a new direction is needed in our schools, but unfortunately I’m struggling to try and figure out how Diane Denish could possibly do that.

Rebecca Melton

Roswell

Dear Editor:

After reading the letter from Bethany Becerra of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southeast New Mexico, concerning the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department, I would like to add my thanks to them for the many ways in which they serve the community.

They also sponsor the Roswell Community Band by furnishing rehearsal space at the Roswell Adult Center, located at 800 N. Missouri Ave., which meets at 7 p.m. each Monday evening for rehearsals. This band is open to the public to anyone who has ever played in a marching or concert band in public schools or universities. There is an open invitation to join the group.

Parks and Recreation gives financial aid to the band, however, there is a small fee to participate. Any student of ENMU-R may take the class for credit at the university.

Three concerts are planned for the fall and spring semesters. At present the director is Maj. Ken Tuttle from NMMI’s music department. For further information, contact Mrs. Jane Batson at ENMU-R at 575-624-7000 or Len Cheney Jr. at 575-622-2695.

Leonard E. Cheney Jr.

Publicity chairman

Roswell Community Band

Dear Editor: 

The goal of radical Muslims is to infiltrate American society and government in order to control the United States and impose Sharia Law. A quote from the Qur-an: “Sharia is the law of Allah. Any other form of government is sin. It is the duty of every Muslim to keep striving until all governments have been converted to Sharia law.”

Their mosques and schools now number 1,209, with an estimated 80 funded by Saudi Arabia, where the official religion is virulently anti-Western Wahabi Islam. The Saudis are financing and partnering with the radical worldwide Muslim Brotherhood, which over the years has formed the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT) the American Muslim Council (AMC), and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The Brotherhood is now a worldwide clearinghouse for virtually all Sunni terrorist groups and is operating inside U.S. mosques across our country.

This has been proved by FBI documents, interviews and wire tapes, some smuggled out of CAIR headquarters by a planted informant. The book, “Muslim Mafia,” exposes the Brotherhood and their five-phase plan for dominating America, with Step 5 being Jihad, the final conflict and overthrow of the government. Jihad means “to submit.”

In 2008 the Brotherhood’s U.S. think tank, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), hosted Iman Rauf and pledged their support for his project, the Ground Zero mosque. Rauf’s partner, Barzinji, is the director of IIIT, which is under federal investigation for funneling funds to Palestinian terrorists. He is accused of being closely associated with Hamas and other terrorist organizations also. Barzinji is also listed as a NAIT trustee. He and his brother’s printing company helped launch Rauf’s book, “What’s Right with Islam is What’s Right with America.”

In it he calls for the establishment of a parallel system of justice in America run by Islamist jurists. He writes Muslims are commanded to “shape history,” which requires merging the mosque and the state.

Before 9/11 a mosque was built in Falls Church, Va., and Iman Anwar Awlaki used it to plan, recruit and train operatives for the attack on the twin towers. He is now hiding out in Yemen and the U.S. has frozen his assets. He was responsible for counseling home-grown terrorists like the Fort Hood killer. Opponents of the center at Ground Zero fear it would be used in a like manner. (Furthermore, it has been the custom of Muslims to build mosques on sites they have conquered as a monument to their triumph. Many are built over former churches).

The current Imam believes jihad is an obligation from Allah on every Muslim. Another cleric says they are within Islamic law to “blow up bridges” and other infrastructure and “do all forms of sabotage.” Many of these leaders and members of mosques are in our prisons or under investigation for conspiring with Hamas, al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.

Under the Qur-an, “Submission to Islam is peace.” Peace, to them, is the absence of religious or political opposition. A non-agressing nation is at war with Islam as long as it has not embraced Islam. Islam’s goal is to conquer the world either by submission of one’s will or by Allah’s sword. It is the world’s most intolerant religion. Christians, Jews and atheists are all infidels to be converted, subjugated or killed. People who argue for Muslim “freedom of religion” do not realize that they would grant us no such freedom if they had the power. I cannot understand why our president keeps courting these people. If many are reasonable and peaceable, it is not because of the teachings of their religion. We had better wake up before we, too, become enslaved by this “peaceful” religion.

Delma Craig

Roswell

Dear Editor:

On Aug. 28, 2010, I attended a dance at the Roswell Adult Center. The dance hall was dangerously void of adequate lighting and the music was so loud it was unbearable. There was not adequate lighting in the food service area, so you could not see what was being served and the bandstand was not lighted. I still don’t know who was playing, a band or a DJ. 

We requested a refund but were told our money could not be refunded. “Why?”

I went to the RAC representatives on duty to get a fan and light on the west end of the building and was told the people want it dark (what am I an animal?)

This is not a saloon, it is a dance hall and I for one want to see the person next to me. Many of us are seniors and handicapped and do enjoy the dances as a social gathering. RAC employees turned a deaf ear to our requests and gathered in the front lobby to discuss me and badmouth me.

What company holds the liability coverage on these dances? I do not want to fall due to a lack of adequate lighting. Please help provide a safe place to dance and a reasonable level of sound. 

Friends of RAC 

Elizabeth J. Kemp

Roswell

Dear editor:

This letter is written to convey our experience with Mission Arch Nursing Home. 

A year ago my husband and I made a decision to put my father there, who was living independently, because he was becoming a danger to himself and not eating properly, losing weight, and his health deteriorating. 

Since he has been a client there I have been able to visit him at least once, often twice, daily. My observations are that the staff is very attentive and always treats him with dignity. 

In the beginning he definitely did not want to be there and treated the nurses and aides very badly. They did not reciprocate in kind and always were respectful. Due to their professionalism and patience he eventually came to accept them and his surrounding. 

He has gained weight and now is healthy and happy. 

The doctor associated with Mission Arch gives us an easy to understand thorough evaluation of my dad’s health, monitors his medications, and suggests treatments, if necessary.

Every three months we attend a meeting with Mission Arch staff. At this meeting they discuss their observations and are very ready to listen to any concerns we have. 

During my many visits there I have never seen a client to be treated badly or abused. 

We, my husband and I, are happy that my father is in such a quality facility with proven professionals taking such good care of him. When the day arises and we need care, we would choose Mission Arch.

Maggie and John Schaffer

Roswell

Dear Editor:

This letter is in reference to the article that relates how our police department is spending too much time having to answer false alarms.

One way to correct that action was to implement a fee for those having an alarm system and afterward handing out fines to any alarm owner who goes over his limit of false alarms.

My question is this, how can I as a business owner stop my alarms from going off? I have installed a system for my protection and the last thing I want is to set it off unintentionally. In fact, every time I have had my alarms go off, it is because someone has tried to shake my business’ doors or rattled my windows. The perpetrators are gone by the time I or the police arrive, but isn’t that the whole point of an alarm system going off? To stop the perpetrator before he enters the premises?

How is making a business owner pay a fee and afterward fines going to eliminate or slow the process of false alarms down? Do we as business owners magically have less “false alarms” because we are now registered? It does not change a single “false alarm.” I can no more control my alarm system from going off whether I pay a fine or not.

At one point when my alarm went off and the alarm company notified me and the police, I arrived first to discover all was well and contacted the police department not to come to my business but they said it was too late and would be arriving anyway. I insisted they did not need ot come, but sure enough after what seemed forever, they showed up and of course I got my letter of being fined for a false alarm a couple days later. Sadly I have had to write my alarm company a letter stating that I do not wish for the police department to be notified if my alarm goes off. At this point it will be cheaper for me to absorb a theft than to have to keep paying fines to the police department for the inconvenience of coming to my business for a “false alarm.”

Harold Franks

Roswell

Dear Editor:

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Blake Meek, of Lawrence Brothers, for allowing family and friends of Special Olympics to sell delicious baked goods, hot dogs and drinks, raffle tickets and have a dunking booth in front of the store.

I appreciate all the volunteers who all came together to raise money for Special Olympics. I cannot thank you enough. 

Officers from the Roswell Police Department went in the nice cool water in the name of Special Olympics.

A great big thank you to Eric Madsen, Travis Holley, Tom Moody and Christina DeLaCerda for graciously going in the water time and time again. Roberta Romero, you were amazing and I truly appreciate all your help in selling the raffle tickets. Family members of our athletes sold hot dogs and cokes with a great big smile.

Employees of Lawrence Brothers eagerly raised money for Blake Meek to go in the dunking booth. Blake Meek was dunked several times. He was a good sport about going in the dunking booth and said it was for a great cause.

Lizzie Owen, local coordinator, also went into the dunking booth for a pretty hefty price that was ultimately paid. Lizzie Owen was very fearful of the water but she put her fears aside and went in the water for Special Olympics. Thank you Lizzie, you are awesome.

I know that I can always count on Sierra Volunteer Fire Department for all their help. Thank you Don Ford and a special thanks to Gil and Phil Lucero who are always there for Special Olympics. Blake Meek was so willing to help out Special Olympics therefore I am asking everyone to give back and patronize Lawrence Brothers.

Thank you Roswell Daily Record, for keeping the community informed of all the wonderful people and businesses in this great city.

Jeannie V. Madsen

Roswell

Dear Editor:

As we approach the election of governor, we must ask as a populace what is most important in the education of our children.

New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation out of 51 states and one territory. We have maintained this rating since the 1980s and we have not improved.

The dropout rate continues to hover at approximately 49 percent, which indicates that almost half of our students are not finishing high school. Yes, many eventually do return to obtain their GED, but having taught adult GED classes for over five years in Houston and Dallas, the toll on the adults’ lives is unspeakable. Many are attempting to obtain their GED, work a full-time job, raise children, and then attempt to attend GED classes. In those classes we would often begin with 15-20 students and eventually matriculate to 5-6 students, due to the extreme pressure of trying to balance all that they created for themselves.

We must also ask, what is lacking in our educational systems statewide, that the needs and desires of the students are not met? Where are the technical/vocational classes that would enable many of these students to develop trades? Where are the truly enriched classes for those students who want to attend Ivy League schools?

We must also examine the data presented by the New Mexico Schools Based Assessment Test (NMSBA) to find our areas of weakness. None of the middle schools met AYP standards in 2009, with two of the three middle schools not meeting AYP for a combined total of 8 years! Forty-nine percent of our schools in the Roswell Independent School District did not meet AYP for 2009 and the bar will continue to be raised yearly by the United States Department of Education.

We must ask ourselves, if this were a corporation, would the business be allowed to continue as “business as usual” or would the board demand that either major changes take place or would management eventually be replaced? Why is education allowed to continue to destroy the lives of our children and not meet the standards set forth by NCLB? Children are not commodities or products that can be retooled; this is the excuse you hear constantly in failing school districts. No, they are not, but we can and must retool our educational practices to ensure the success of every child, on the level of their ability, with no excuses!

We must and are demanded to quit making excuses for a failing system or statewide systems. We are remanded to examine our practices and our administrators must be willing to take a hard look at the data, a true look and implement massive changes both district-wide and statewide.

I have been privileged to serve on various NMSBA committees and have had the opportunity to examine the test. The instrument is outstanding and one of the best in the country, yet there is a disconnect between what is being required to be taught in the classroom and what is required knowledge on the NMSBA.

Classroom teachers need strong administrators who are willing to roll up their sleeves and train teachers statewide. This must begin at the top, with PED and flow downward.

PED’s ability to restructure and implement best practices must become law. Districts and administrators who are not meeting standards must be placed on plans of action that call for immediate restructuring or be at risk of state takeover.

The budget for PED must be increased to include monitors and curriculum developers who ensure each district is delivering a product that not only meets the NMSBA standards, but also ensures a decreasing dropout rate.

We cannot continue in the manner of operation in this present state in many of our districts and pretend that there is no problem. We have major problems in New Mexico that must be rectified, as we are failing our children.

Administrators are charged with the education and development of teachers. We have many high quality teachers both in Roswell and New Mexico but they are not being trained in the latest educational advancements and the administrators are not ensuring that these “best practices” are being instituted in the classrooms. When an acuity test is given in a school and over 88 percent of the students fail the test, this should and must send a flashing red light to all administration that extreme measures must be taken for the good of the children.

Education is my passion, Roswell is my hometown, and I want the best for all children of Chaves County. We must implement a massive overhaul of our systems both locally and statewide or we will continue to spiral downward. These future implications are:

1. An uneducated population.

2. Business will not consider New Mexico due to its low educational achievement.

3. A drain on the funding of New Mexico due to high unemployment.

4. An ever increasing crime rate, due to the lack of education.

I leave you with this thought, “We either catch ‘em at the starting gate, or we will pay for ‘em in the end.” In other words, if we do not seriously educate all children statewide, we will continue to build more and bigger prisons. People commit crimes usually out of frustration with the system, not because they want to, but must to survive. The same holds true for those whose lives have been ruined due to drugs.

Education equals success and provides a key to the advancement of mankind. As educators, we have the most important and necessary vocation on Earth and there are no excuses. We must ensure the success of every child because all children can learn.

Phillip B. Shamas

Roswell

Dear Editor:

I was wondering if I could take this time to say thank you.

We lost our brother Roy Vargas Jr., July 31. The outpouring of people was amazing!

To ENMMC staff that cared for Roy, to Los Chismosas who was a huge help with the serving at the comida following the services. To the Martinez family who is in charge of the VFW for the extreme kindness and patience with all my phone calls at crazy hours. Gizmos, Farmers Insurance — Terri Elliot, for the killer food!

For all our family; boy, those nights camping in the ICU waiting room, ICU nurses station, Cindy Medrano for the breakfasts, we had bought out all the snack machines. To Aunt Maggie. To my sister and Sena family for all the money and support, Lucero family help with food, Bobby and Yolanda Archuleta, and Ms. Archuleta, Sara, huge thank you to Anderson Bethany: you always amaze me, your promptness, caring and that extra mile you guys always go. Papa Darrel, Christy, Travis, Kathy, Rudolph and Sean, Jeri for all the food, the service was perfect!

To Sharron for the pies! To the Moses Flores family for taking care of my house, etc. and yard and the cards and prayers. Trujillo family from California, Judy and family, to everyone’s prayers on Facebook, all the cards, and phone calls!

Patti and Dennis Johnson for all the support that morning and help with the roses from Barringers. My book of food donated got lost, I apologize if I did not name you. If you brought food to the house or comida, I thank you at this time!

May God bless all of you who touched our hearts!

Ralph and Nicole Vargas

Roy Vargas’ family

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Sometimes it does take someone being aware of how unsafe a thing is. Seems like people are not aware of how unsafe their vehicles are. Dangerous and just looking for an accident to happen.

We notice people who drive on worn-out tires daily. Do they not know there is a law that says you should have so much tread on them? I guess if you cannot afford tires, park the car and ride the bus. Be safe for yourself and others.

Linda Chapin

Roswell

Dear Murderer:

I know I have not written you lately, but that does not mean I have not had you on my mind every day. It has been 1,591days since you murdered Melissa Romero. What have you done each of those days, have you bettered yourself? I think not, because if you had bettered yourself, you would have turned yourself in by now.

I am thinking you probably have been living your life, maybe having a child, maybe working, or wait maybe you have been put in jail and just cannot keep your life straight. The only thing you are successful in is destroying other people’s and other family’s lives.

I just wanted you to know that Wednesday, Aug. 18, was one of the hardest days I have had in a long time. That was Melissa’s baby girl’s first day of school. I could not help cry when I was getting her dressed in her new school clothes, combing her hair and making sure she had everything she needed. Then I took her to her bus stop, THAT is when it really got hard. I kept hearing Melissa’s voice in my head telling her baby girl how proud she was and what a big girl she was. YOU took that away not only from Melissa but from her baby girl too. 

You know it is amazing how people will defend you. These same people will not pull you out of a burning house, because they would much rather see you dead, but yet they will not tell the whole story, just bits and pieces, good thing I keep a record of bits and pieces. You see, I know your lies, I know what you did, and it may take the rest of my life, but you will not get away with this murder.

If you cared anything about Melissa’s baby girl, you would turn yourself in, you would want attention focused on her and not YOU, but actually I do not believe you have enough mentality to do the right thing. It takes someone that is strong, both emotionally and mentally, has morals, has a conscience and knows right from wrong. So far, I don’t see any of those things in YOU. But I do see cowardice, greed, stupidity and totally without morals. 

According to the Bible, “The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son.” So if that comes to pass, you will be losing more and more of the things you care about. So, a good idea would to be to turn yourself in and save your loved ones. I KNOW you do not want to go through what Melissa’s family has been, and still is, going through. 

I realize this world is getting worse by the day. I realize Roswell has so many people that hate, just because they have been brought up that way, (not everyone in Roswell, but you know who I am talking about), but you and only YOU can put an end to the anger, hate, murders and living the way you were brought up. YOU can be a better person, father, mother, sister, brother, etc.; all you have to do is look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, I am going to change starting today. I will not accept the life my family showed me, I will become a person my children can be proud of and that my community can be proud of. THIS is not easy, but it is possible. Don’t let another person be murdered before you decide to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. 

Anyone, who has information that can help Melissa’s family, please contact Lisa Brackeen at RPD, or you can go to Melissa’s website and send me a message, or go to http://www.realcrimes.com and send an anonymous e-mail with the information. I do not want to cause other families stress; I just want justice for Melissa and her baby girl. Think about your children that you see every day; would you want them to be where Melissa’s daughter is? Do you want to miss all of their birthdays, their first steps, their first words, their first day at school or any other things they do? The answer is NO and YOU can stop the heartache in Melissa’s family. 

Thank you,

Joan Hughes

Melissa Romero’s mother

Dear Editor:

I write concerning the two emission cap rules that are being considered by the State’s Environmental Improvement Board. One, EIB No. 08-19, proposes that emissions from stationary sources be reduced 3 percent per year from 2010 levels. Emissions over this “cap” amount would require the emitter to buy allowances on the market or agree to be penalized by the New Mexico Environment Department at a rate of $50 per ton. The second proposal, ED3 No. 10-04 proposes to institute a New Mexico only “cap and trade” program that will reduce “pollution that causes global warming” to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The public needs to know the following about these proposals:

1. The New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Improvement Board are regulators. Regulations must be implemented IF the Legislature authorizes the regulators to do so by statute. There is no such statutory authority. In fact, since 2007 four separate bills have been introduced at the request of our governor and the Environment Department which specifically deal with carbon emissions. In each case, the Legislature killed the bills.

2. The emissions proposals arise from New Mexico’s participation in the Western Climate Initiative. New Mexico became a party to the initiative by executive order, not by action of the Legislature. And by the way, the Environmental Improvement Board consists of seven members that have all been appointed by our current governor.

3. Even if you assume that man’s activities result in “global” warming, how can New Mexico benefit from a program that applies only to New Mexico rather than the nation or the entire world? If emissions need to be capped, then Congress will cap them nationwide. A New Mexico only program will increase the cost of our energy, cost existing jobs, and cause employers who are considering moving to New Mexico to locate elsewhere.

All of us want clean air and water. No one wants to expose future generations to a harmful environment. However, we must be responsible in our decision making process, especially during these economic times.

The Environmental Improvement Board will take public comment on the proposed rules at four locations in southeast New Mexico this week. The times and locations of the meetings are: Artesia, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Artesia Recreation Center, 612 N. Eighth Street; Carlsbad, Tuesday Aug. 31, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Carlsbad City Hall; Hobbs, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lea County Event Center; and Clovis, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Clovis Civil Center. I strongly encourage concerned citizens to let their voices be heard at these meetings.

Respectfully,

Candy Spence Ezzell

State Representative

District 58, Chaves County

Dear Editor:

The article about the Camden, N.J., libraries appalls me! Some of these big executives who sit behind desks and make huge salaries or some of these athletes who draw huge salaries, or politicians, should make less and educational things should get the money.

We all need enough money to live on, but some things are just way over the top.

This country is on a really bad down slide and it doesn’t take a rocket scentist to figure it out and see the writing on the wall.

Beverly Zamon

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Every year about this time I find myself wondering what the reason for starting school so early in August might be. It seems to get earlier and earlier in the year. 

I remember when school started after Labor Day and did not end until early in June. Times change, I have to accept that, but even so why start school in early August for no good reason — at least no one shared with the rest of us.

It is hot, hot, hot at that time of our year. It costs a bundle to keep the schools cool enough for teachers to teach and students to learn. The money saved in air conditioning costs for August would likely pay the salary for a year for two or three full-time teachers or perhaps a dozen TAs.

Would that not be a better use of the money and let the kiddos have a full “summer” vacation?

Randy Flax

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Here are some excerpts from a letter I got from the USO:

“I am writing today to ask for your help in making the 2010 Holiday Season a special one for our troops in Afghanistan & Iraq.

“Strange as it may seem, here at the USO, Holiday Planning takes place IN AUGUST!” They go on to say that our troops “wait for Mail Call, or a chance to phone home.”

They ask for donations of $10, $15, $20 or whatever amount you can give right now.”

Sir, will you print this email and let Roswell know how easy it is to donate to the USO? Just go to USO.com on the Internet. You’ll make a lot of soldiers mighty happy! 

Thank you!

Mrs. Lee Sides

Roswell

Dear Editor:

This note comes to you to publicly acknowledge the efforts of city of Roswell personnel who found the means to keep Cahoon Park swimming pool open through Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. Although the Roswell Recreation Department website indicates that the pool was officially scheduled to be open Memorial Day through Labor Day, due to a budget shortfall, it was going to be necessary to close the pool on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010. At the request of some 30 adult swimmers, Mayor Del Jurney, Finance Director Larry Fry, City Councilor Dusty Huckabee, and Recreation Director Kim Elliott found a way to keep the pool open one more week.

Thank you to these individuals who continue to make a difference in Roswell as they strive to meet the community's recreational needs. Thanks to their efforts, the pool will officially close at the end of the business day on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at 6 p.m. We would like to encourage people to come out and enjoy this last week of summer swimming!   

Sincerely, 

Diane Klassen and Sally Pretti

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Charlie Black is a hard working lady, so it was with great sadness we learned of the damage to her restaurant.

This has been our “hang-out” for Saturday breakfast for the past five or six years, before there was a “Charlie’s Restaurant.” 

We (Murphy’s Marauders) have “our” table(s) which has been shared by upward of 30 people on any given Saturday. Charlie has laughed with us and cried with us when there was the loss of one of our own.

She has helped sponsor poker runs for numerous charitable projects, donating numerous items as door prizes. Charlie has fought long and hard to keep her dream of a family-oriented, high quality, low cost restaurant alive.

The community needs to stand behind her and let her know they will be at her door when she reopens. 

We love you, Charlie. You are in our hearts and prayers.

Murphy’s Marauders

MaryAnn Murphy

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Another year has passed, the rains have come and gone and our street looks worse than last year.

Last year the streets north and south of West Second Street and east and west of Union Avenue were slurried except for half a block on North Delaware Avenue, because they claim they (city) ran out of slurry.

Another year has passed and guess what? They have found millions to repave Main and Tilden streets to Ninth Street and no mention of Delaware Avenue.

We, the residents, feel like the adopted child, since this section of street has been the same since 1950 or so. 

Every street on all sides are taken care of except ours. We pay taxes like everybody else, we vote for our City Council etc. and yet we are overlooked.

I would appreciate it very much if our district council person would contact me to see what he can do. I think our representative is Mr. Dusty Huckabee.

Steve Ortega

Roswell

Dear Editor:

What a wonderful group of young people — the 32 bike and builders, that came to Roswell to help Habitat for Humanity. It is obvious that they can bike, but unless you were at the build site at 1206 S. Beech, you would not know that they could build. 

They worked for nine hours to help build two sheds. If one of them did not know how to do something, the Habitat group stepped in to show them the correct way.

Several groups helped the Habitat for Humanity members provide a safe, workable and fun environment for them.

The Yucca Center welcomed them to their facility for sleeping; the Roswell Do It Center provided a cook out burrito meal; Fairfield Marriott helped with fruit, cheese and veggy trays; the First United Methodist Church provided another evening meal; Martin’s Capital Cafe gave them breakfast before they left town.

Thanks again for all the support.

Habitat for Humanity board members

Bob William, President

Dear Editor:

Another one of Roswell’s historic treasures is soon to be lost forever unless our city takes action. The recently abandoned old airport terminal building (aka Unity Teen Center) is already atrophying as most of the windows have been recently broken, the weeds are over 8 feet tall and trash and debris are accumulating.

Please consider some of the ramifications to relocating the Parks and Recreation Offices to the old Airport Terminal Building. 

Currently the Parks and Recreation office is in an old, small house, in a residential neighborhood and not designed as an office building. It neither is well located nor does it have room for growth or expansion. Parking is inadequate, remote and does not easily access the office.

Attributes of the old airport buildings are numerous. The site is located in Cielo Grande park, the city’s largest park and soon to be both the middle of Roswell and the heart of parks and recreation with the many recreation and park facilities planned or already built. 

It is on a major road, College Boulevard, and easily accessible to the community from all directions and methods of transportation including pedestrians. Paved parking surrounds the facility, further enhancing access.

The main building is a historic landmark and provides adequate and accessible offices, restrooms and space for expansion for many years. Additionally, the restrooms could be utilized by the many users of the park, i.e. walkers walking the trail, skaters skating the skate park, families playing on the play structure.

South of the main building are two large accessory buildings formerly utilized as the city garage facility providing maintenance and storage of vehicles and equipment. These buildings could again be utilized for storage and maintenance of parks equipment possibly at a nominal cost.

Mayor Jurney and City Council, please timely establish an ad hoc committee to consider the ramifications of the building and site for utilization of the Parks and Recreation offices and facilities to enhance the quality of life while wisely utilizing taxpayer dollars.

Respectfully,

Thomas E. Jennings

Timothy Z. Jennings

Roswell

Dear Editor:

This will be, possibly, the shortest letter to the editor on record.

Missouri Avenue Elementary School — AYP.

Congratulations!

Duane Evans

Roswell

We are looking for anyone who has any information about Arthur L. Sisley, the first Scoutmaster of Troop 99 in the Eastern New Mexico Area Council, BSA, now the Conquistador Council, BSA, in Roswell. Troop 99 was started in the early 1920s by Mr. Sisley. He was the Troop’s Scoutmaster well into the 1950s.

Mr. Sisley’s grandson, Michael Dixon, is writing a book about his own experiences as a Scout, Scouter and Professional Scouter. He has anecdotes galore about his grandfather and wants to include a chapter in his book as a tribute to his grandfather.

We’d like to communicate with anyone who knew or had personal knowledge of Mr. Sisley. We’re especially interested in any of his Scouts with their own stories and pictures to share. We also need to locate a copy of the Tribute to Mr. Sisley published in about 1958.

Any help you can provide will be sincerely appreciated. 

Please contact:

Jerry Giacoma

470 2nd Street

Gustine, CA 95322

jerry@jegrasa.com

209-829-9633

Dear Editor:

This letter is to the mayor, the City Council, the Roswell police force, the Roswell clergy and all citizens of Roswell and the surrounding areas.

What would you do if ...

One day a group of people gather around a United States flag, throw it on the ground, step all over it, throw dirt, etc. on it and finally, set it afire? They laugh and cheer!!

Or, you see a group who take down our flag from a pole and put another one above it, maybe even put ours on upside down?

These things have happened in Texas, Arizona and California. Are we next?

What would you do if ...

Suddenly there is a group of people in our area who say we can’t show any sign of recognizing God in our lives — we can’t say “In God We Trust” anymore — maybe our symbol of Christianity such as the cross can’t be shown to emphasize that we are a Christian Nation, regardless of the president proclaiming that we are not?

Just what would you do if any of the above happened?

Maybe, just maybe, we can prevent them from happening. How? By letting these people know that we stand together behind our country’s flag, by showing them a city and area that has flags flying everywhere! Every house, every store should be flying a flag! Make it happen — don’t just sit and wait for the other guy to act or it could be too late! Also, make a cross and display it somewhere in your front yard, on your front porch, or wherever you want. Make it 2-3 feet tall so it will be noticeable but not offending. Let them know we stand together in the beliefs that made our nation strong in the beginning and that we intend to remain that way!

Roswell — Take action!

Carolyn J. Syska

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Awhile ago I wrote a letter here that stated my reasons for not bothering to vote.

The current television commercials being run by the Defenders of Wildlife to smear Steve Pearce is a perfect example.

That commercial states that Pearce has received “millions” in campaign contributions from oil companies like BP. It does not actually say he received contributions from BP but from oil companies LIKE BP. But the inference is clear, they are trying to link Pearce with BP when that is not the case at all.

In the 2008 election cycle Pearce was just one of 102 national candidates for office who received contributions from BP and one of them was also Harry Teague, Pearce’s opponent.

In the current election cycle Pearce has received oil company contributions from Yates Petroleum, Marbob Energy, Devon Energy, Mack Energy, and others to the tune of $130,000, not millions. Teague has also been the beneficiary of oil industry contributions totaling $70,000 according to the latest numbers I could find.

Now I would never have voted for Steve Pearce because he and I agree on none of the issues. He’s much too conservative for me. But because Harry Teague is the beneficiary of that smear commercial the Friends of Wildlife is airing I will not vote for him either. At some point we voters have to be spared that kind of misinformation and innuendo. If they are not being honest about linking BP to Pearce how much of the rest of that commercial can I believe?

And as a conservationist who volunteers many hours a month at the Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge I support several wildlife organizations. But I would never contribute to the Defenders of Wildlife if airing smear campaign commercials is the way they are going to spend my money.

And before someone replies to this letter saying I have a duty to vote because so many in uniform fought for my right to vote let me say I served my country in uniform on and off for a total of 26 years during both the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. I fought for my right not to vote if I don’t think a candidate is worth my vote. And these days damned few are worthy of my vote; not the least of which are the two candidates for governor. 

Noel Sivertson

Roswell

Dear Editor:

On Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, I was driving my daughter and granddaughter home from her first day of school. My car died on Main Street and the Relief Route. 

After my daughter and I pushed it out of the way of oncoming traffic, we sat there for almost an hour before someone stopped. She wasn’t able to help us, but we thanked her for stopping. A second lady stopped, but was not able to help us either. The second lady did come back with cold drinks for us, which we were grateful for! The temperature outside was 100!

I would like to thank the three ladies and two gentlemen who stopped to see if they could do anything for us.

My daughter and I appreciated the kindness. Just when I think Roswell is full of rude people, there are some that will go out of their way to help. Thank you very much.

To the two gentlemen that stopped when my car did its favorite trick, I thank you also for asking if I need help. This took place on the corner of Main and Brasher Road, about two weeks ago.

Cathy Shannon

Roswell

Dear Editor:

We have never had a president so out of touch with the people of this country. Instead of making jobs his first priority, he plunged ahead with health care legislation, which almost 60 percent of us still do not want. His so-called “stimulus” bills have primarily preserved government and union workers’ jobs — political payback! 

He wants a cap and trade bill which would, by his own admission, cause electricity costs to “skyrocket.”

He supported a bill to regulate banking, but did not include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government mortgage companies which were primarily responsible for the collapse of the housing market and the economy.

He has ignored the growing problems of illegal immigration. Seventy percent of our population supports Arizona’s attempt to protect its people from being kidnapped or killed by armed drug cartels His Justice Department sued and prevented most of the bill from becoming law. One of our government’s constitutional duties is to “protect and defend” our citizens.

He and the first lady have taken numerous vacations, some extremely expensive, while most of us cannot afford to take one, not to mention the concerts, golf and basketball breaks.

The balance of this year he will be raising funds to save jobs — those of Democrats in peril in November.

The latest blunder is his support for the Muslim center near Ground Zero in New York City. New Yorkers and 70 percent of our citizens oppose this. Another poke in the eye to people who have suffered enough already.

We must change the Congress in November and take away his power to override the will of the people, or we can expect more of the same from this administration.

Delma Craig

Roswell

Dear Editor:

Alien Gotcha?

Government Coverup?

I purchased a license plate for the front of my car at the UFO Shop in Walmart. After I got home I noticed an error in spelling, which may be normal for little green men, but for an advertisement for “UFO Roswell New Mexico” I expect our state to be spelled right! But it said “New Mehico.”

I showed it to several people and only one saw the mistake without being shown. We all expect to see New Mexico and this is what our brains processed. I want to thank Walmart management for immediately removing all the tags from the display and boxing them up for return to the manufacturer as soon as I brought it to their attention.

Roswell spends a lot of money advertising the UFO theme and people come from everywhere so the advertising should be positive and correct. I want to encourage the city fathers to continue to support this fun event that contributes millions into the Roswell economy each year.

Betty Ullery

Roswell

Dear Editor:

After attending the Aug. 13 meeting at the Roswell Chamber of Commerce discussing the key issues regarding New Mexico’s Cap-and-Trade proposals, I felt I had to write to alert the citizens of our area.

The Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) is a politically appointed board with a majority of its members having an environmental background. There is a legal question as to whether they even have legislative authority to implement a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. I am not an expert regarding utility companies, a legislator or a member of the oil and gas industry, but the proposed regulations will affect everyone’s disposable income and the economy of my state — New Mexico.

The EIB is asking New Mexico to do the job of the federal government that is global in scope. New Mexico can’t control emissions from any other state, or Mexico, and the only benefit of these regulations is to economically punish the residents and businesses in New Mexico. The article in the Roswell Daily Record did not cover some of the points I feel need to be addressed. 

Enacting the proposed regulations will raise utility rates and energy costs for everyone, it will negatively impact economic development, and it will create more costly government bureaucracy to make sure of compliance.  

We all want a healthy environment, but to enact the EIB regulations at this time would cripple our state now and in the future. Google “New Mexico Cap and Trade proposed regulations” and see full details for yourself. We need to let the EIB know how we feel before the Sept. 20 deadline for comments. 

Thank you for letting these issues come before the citizens of New Mexico.

Carolyn Mitchell

Roswell

Dear Editor: 

Kudos to you for your editorial on the efforts to win a pardon for the late Billy the Kid, and for Jay Miller’s editorial. I hope other editors around the state will take a similar position and kill this nonsense off altogether.

The continued appearance of this story in press around the world makes me think Governor Richardson is sending up balloons. The trouble is, it seems to me, the governor has fallen into the trap of letting unfounded assumptions translate into fact. The assumption in this case is that Governor Lew Wallace offered to pardon Billy, but there is no documentation other than Billy’s wishful thinking in his jailhouse letters. Yet the assumption has become fact with no basis in fact (hence an unsupported allegation), and on that basis the governor is wading into these waters. Wallace was too careful a politician and too skilled a writer to let himself to be committed to anything of that sort — he must have known that earlier crimes might come to light, as they did (passing bogus money for one) and Billy was the sort to continue as a criminal after the pardon.

Just what would be pardoned? The killing of Sheriff Brady and his party, for which Billy was tried and convicted? All his crimes, including subsequent killings of peace officers during the escape after the trial, or just all crimes before that? Sheriff Brady’s and Deputy Bell’s descendants have already opposed a pardon, and usually the families of victims get some audience. Now the Tunstall relatives and Garrett’s grandchildren say let sleeping bandits lie. I agree with them.

The governor ought to be careful about trivializing the duties of his office. Only rarely does pardoning a corpse serve a purpose, and that’s mostly been to signal a response to past racial injustice. He has suggested staging a mock trial, which mocks legal process, and if he goes ahead with a pardon he will trivialize an important executive power. If Richardson does that he’ll be no better than Texas Governor Perry or Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, twisting history to draw attention to himself from people who do not know trashistory or pseudoscience when they see it.

Dave Clary

Roswell

Dear Editor:

New Energy Economy and The New Mexico Environment Department have proposed separate plans to cap greenhouse gas emission. These proposals could raise prices and drive businesses our of the state.

In today’s economic climate, I find it quite discerning that the Environmental Impact Board (EIB) is considering two petitions that will directly impact the lives of all New Mexicans. Currently, there are two petitions (NMED Cap and Trade petition Case No. EIB 10-04 and NEE Cap-only petition Case No. EIB 08-29) being proposed that are guaranteed to raise the cost of electricity. This increase would come directly on the heels of the 21.2 percent increase being sought by PNM. This increase would greatly affect small businesses which are struggling to stay open as well as individual New Mexicans such as retirees and the sick and the poor. 

The idea that one state’s restriction of green house gasses will have any environmental impact other than a miniscule one is absurd. This is an ideological move that is clearly void of rationality. We must not at this time, nor any time, put our great state at such an economic disadvantage from which we cannot recover. 

The New Mexico Legislature twice failed to pass carbon limiting legislation. This would be an unwise move to bypass the state’s elected representation and move forward with these plans. I am also concerned that the EIB, which has no statutory authority to consider regulation of greenhouse gases as requested by the petitions, has moved too quickly without having conducted a thorough economic analyses of the two petitions at hand. It would be a disgrace to the citizens of New Mexico to move forward with passage of the said petitions without a full economic impact report. 

Should these petitions pass, electricity, fuel and food prices among other things are sure to rise. Our state needs to focus on a multi-faceted approach to manage emissions, while investing in technologies that preserve affordable electricity other than a blanket Cap and Trade Act. 

As your elected representative, I encourage all of you to contact the EIB and urge the board to slow down, conduct a thorough cost impact analyses, and then decide on whether or not NMED Cap and Trade petition Case No. EIB 10-04 and NEE Cap-only petition Case No EIB 08-19 should be passed.

Nora Espinoza

State Representative

Roswell